"Cormac O Caoimh's Cork-accented folk shines..with his gentle lilt showing the strength of these songs" - The Ticket/Irish Times

"a versatile masterpiece" - Celebrity Cafe

"rooted in the ethos of Elvis Costello and Paddy McAloon" - The Sunday Times

"this a brew that's stronger than you think, you take in its smooth taste and captivating aromas, before discovering there is more strength/caffeine beneath the surface than you were expecting and it's a bit edgier than you were lead to believe." - Fatea Magazine

"This weaving, concept album is simply amazing" - GiggingNI.com

"it exudes quality lyrics and exceptional musicality"- Ralph's Life

"wonderful collection of songs by this excellent independent singer/songwriter" - Geoffrey Bennett/Musicians Together

"“Cormac O’ Caoimh’s songwriting is akin to that of the ‘80s school of wordsmiths such as Lloyd Cole, Paddy McAloon and even Elvis Costello....a songwriter to be reckoned with" - Hot Press

"placing himself at an interesting arms-length remove from the (singer-songwriter) genre..an impressive album of folk-pop songs" - we are noise

"Beautiful beyond words" - Mutant Space
"Feels as if you’re wrapped up in your warmest coat glimpsing some vast and beautiful landscape through the condensation laden windows" - Tom Robinson (BBC) 's Fresh on the net site
"Leaves you feeling that all can be right with the world" - Fatea Magazine
"There is true magic here" - Folk Words
"like a rich mahogany, warm and beautiful..layered and lush...a comforting feeling" - Secret Agent Mel"
"Intimate vocals, poetic and evocative lyrics and exquisitely crafted melodies-all beautifully framed within his flawless acoustic guitar work"
- The Las Angelas Beat
"Songs which speak to the subconscious and have a comfortable place in the psyche" - Drop-d
"I challenge you not to be charmed...A new season for love is an accomplished album which wears its sombre mood lightly, with pleasing pop colours." - We are noise
"A perfect album. Sublime songs. Beautiful moments" Acoustic Review
"Counting the Raindrops’, the 10th song is, in my opinion, the best song on the album and indeed one of the best songs to come out of Ireland over the last 10 years. This is to me the perfect song and ranks along the best of them even alongside Galileo and some of Cohen’s evergreens." - Musicians Together
"His voice is a wonderfully expressive instrument..the result is a cohesive and excellent album" - Leonard's Lair
"The album is a treasure trove of song. A class act. A class record" -MRU
“mature and intelligent and the albums natural feel gives it a worthy intimacy” - Hot Press
"a sweet melody of delicately written songs that soothe the soul" - Celebrity Cafe
"Perfection lies within its quietude" - Scully Love Promo
"His voice is so soft and tender. His music is really going to calm you down. Highly recommended" - Entertainment Divaz
"a lulling voice in the realm of Nick Drake, with lyrics that whisper of love and lost things and friendship, quiet poetry, weaving through a gentle Jazz vibe. .. an album full of delights, perfect for those mellower moments of dreaming." - Dungarvan Observer
"perfect as a soundtrack to a lazy Summer day. Impressive stuff!" - To U I Bestow
"The craft at work here is of a rare quality" - File Under Good Music
"I think you will be impressed" - Cork Independent
"O’Caoimh’s voice is flawless delivering songs of undoubted maturity" - Claire Kane
"seeps into your heart rendering you speechless with emotions" - Celtic Music Fan
"A haven for acoustic folk goodness. Lyrically sophisticated. Perfect chillout music" - Show me something different

There is a lot of good stuff coming out of Ireland at the moment, people like Damien Rice and David Kitt and I got a cd recently from (Cormac O Caoimh of) Cork which I really like.Ron Sexsmith

Well worth checking out. I've been listening to this all day. Lovely stuff.Dan Hegarty, 2fm

Luminous front man Cormac O Caoimh releases his first solo album. More than your typical singer-songwriter, O Caoimh mixes pop sensibility with finely tuned song writing wrapping it all up in his soft melodic confidence and sharp lyrical commentaryHot Press

“Corkman O Caoimh manages to avoid several of the pitfalls one would normally assocate with Irish singer-songwriters on his debut solo record. For much of the album, he sounds more like an indie-pop artist than an acoustic troubadour. ‘Deep Sea Diving has a light dreamy melody reminiscent of The Sundays, while the sweet boy-girl interplay of ‘Ghosts’ calls to mind Yo La Tengo and The Delgados.”Hot Press

'The Citadels' were a terrific band from Cork (Ireland); sadly they are no more.
Luckily, we have this new solo album from the Citadels front man. Admirers of Prefab Sprout , Roddy Frame, or Damien Rice will likely devour this record. Cormac's lyrics are whip-smart, and his easy-going vocal style grabs the attention. From the punchy title track, all the way to the wonderful closing duet ('If You Feel') this record is a cut above, and deserves to be widely heard.The Big TakeOver Magazine, New York

“Start a Spark,” from Cormac o Caoimh, is an album from the ex-singer/songwriter of The Citadels. This solo performer brings a bevy of musical talent to the table with his varied vocal timbres and rhythms; listeners will be dazzled by this album from start to finishCelebrityCafe

Start A Spark is the fruit of his labor and quite an impressive work as well. The music has feet in both the pop territory as well as the roots side of things. There is no reason why Cormac shouldn't be the next big export from Ireland.Music Emmissions

Lazy Gazing has ‘Summer radio hit’ written all over it. 'View of the World' brings to mind Elvis Costello when he was still young and angry, and 'Miles of Sky' sounds a lot like Tom Robinson. The album closes with 'If you Feel' - a melodic pop-jazz duet with a very catchy progression. Lyrically it’s a charming sentimental love song in the mode of Bill Withers 'Lean on Me'. This album grows on you like a virulent rash and is going from the review stack to my personal collection.Musican.ie

the entire collection of songs on Start a Spark is uplifting and danceable with poetic lyrics that are just marvelously outstanding.Indie Music Stop

Singer-Songwriter Cormac O Caoimh has crafted a superb collection of acoustic melodies on his debut album "Start a spark .Evening Echo

some of the best songs are also the most simplistic; a gentle lilting melody and O'Caoimh's plaintive tones against a Wendy Smith soundalike strike up the perfect combination for both 'Ghosts' and 'If You Feel' whilst 'Miles Of Sky' glistens most pleasantly.Leonards Lair

Charming music.. Indie folk from the days of real Indie such as The Wonder Stuff and Dinosaur Jr. Makes me smile and rather giddy.Lior Shamir - Managing Director - We are Listening

It’s difficult to pick a favourite track because the entire collection of uplifting, danceable songs and their clever, poetic lyrics are so damn good. PartyinKingston.com

O Caoimh launched into a sharp and acerbic performance interrupted by witty and self-deprecating banter. He gave his songs even more depth and personality through careful and impressive volume control with his voice and guitar. One moment he’d be strumming wildly and barking out a chorus, only to drop to a whisper, with his fingers barely grazing the strings. He’s a very expressive and engaging performer, not to mention pretty damn funny. Cormac O Caoimh has been playing for years and he knows his shit. He’s a great songwriter and a seasoned performer. I hope he makes it back over from Ireland again soon.Canadian Music Festival Report

Introspective without being insular, smart without being prim. Too fresh and refreshing to be mere copyist the music re-enlists "the literate early-to-mid ‘80s breezy pop heartache of Aztec Camera, Prefab Sprout and The Go Betweens.Whisperin & Hollerin

The lyrics are clever and powerful, demanding attention. The tunes are poppy and catchy. The performance and arrangements are nigh on flawless. Both the writing and the execution are exemplaryMusician.ie

a return to those so-called old fashioned times of finely crafted tunes via folk-tinged popLeonard's Lair

an 'immaculate album'Dave Wibberley Jive Records

Well worth checking out. I've been listening to this all day. Lovely stuff.Dan Hegarty, 2fm

Talk about blessed relief, hallelujah and praise be all in one merciful musical package. www.whisperinandhollerin.co.uk

Some great music coming out of Ireland at the moment with Damiens Rice and Dempsey, Dublin's Ten Speed Racer, Cork's Simple Kid, - and now this assured debut from THE CITADELS,
where the fresh confident songwriting of frontman Cormac O Caoimh suggests a promising future for the band.Tom Robinson, BBC Music

Excellent. I have it on repeat on my headphones while sitting at the computer........ Worth waiting for.GigIreland.com

'Letting Go Holding On' is an exemplary and masterful piece of work both in the musical content, lyrics and vocalsIrishbandslive.co.uk

The album is well written throughout; vocalist and guitarist Cormac O'Caoimh's quest for tunefulness throws up a number of fine songs. An album out of time but - in this case - it's a cause for celebration.Leonard's Lair